The Giving Doll

Saturday, April 14, 2012

Yesterday afternoon my DH and I worked on several dolls at the Giving Doll meeting at our church. We meet every 2 weeks for about 3 hours to work on making dolls for sick or at risk children. Each doll gets clothing, a blanket, a tote bag to carry it in, gets a card that tells it's name and where it came from, and a little prayer card tucked in it's pocket. Our group is currently working on an "order" for 60 dolls for a summer camp for children dealing with grief. The Giving Doll is a nationwide organization.
My husband has become an expert doll stuffer. We also work on dolls at home (stuffing, sewing up the seams, making hair, etc.) in between our meetings. It's been a lot of fun to work on the dolls. Each one has it's own personality. When we get a special request, we try to match eye color, hair color,sex, and ethnicity to the recipient. Here are photos of 2 of the dolls we finished on Friday. Her name is Emily Ann. His name is Timmy.

And last, but not least, here is a photo of my DH concentrating hard on the doll body he is stuffing. He's the only man in the group, and the ladies all love him.
We both are thankful for the opportunity to do something to help cheer up kids who are having problems. It's a way of giving them one of God's hugs.

HOUSEHJ
I am the Executive Director of The Giving Doll. We have made over 10,000 dolls and given them worldwide.The dolls are made from a pattern that I copyrighted so that no doll can every be sold only given to children in need of some special comfort. I would like a to get a group started in every state making and giving doll. The only requirement is that you must make dolls only for children in need of special comfort and report back to me how many you made and where they went. The program is a blessing to all those involved.1691 days ago

PATTYCAKE17
Is there a standard pattern to be used, or will any simple pattern do? I will try to get my friend and a local doll club, or my church, involved in the project. Please forward info to my mailbox. God bless you for this good work!1698 days ago

BITTYGIRL51
Arlene, Thanks for sharing your little project you had mentioned to me. They are absolutely adorable and what an awesome ministry! I noticed the faces on the boy and the girl are "generic" or identical. How do you create their faces? Are they painted on? They are so delightful! In fact, they remind me of Zachary! Bright blue eyes, and cheerful little smiles!

What does one have to do to get a doll? And what type of criteria is considered for a child to be considered "in need"? You mentioned that it is a national organization...can we look them up online? Can our church get involved in this ministry? Very intriguing and interesting. As you continue to bless these children, God will bless you (as I'm sure he already has).

AVANELL
What a wonderful ministry! They are such cute dolls! Do you ever get to personally deliver them to the recipients? It would be so much fun to see the faces of the children when they receive them. You and your husband are really talented. The dolls are beautifully made!

KNITTINGNAN
This blog brought tears to my eyes while putting a smile on my face. What a fulfilling project this is. Each doll is so cute that I can only imagine how happy those little children must be to receive them. Your husband is quite the doll as well to be helping.1700 days ago